Two little girls, about 5 and 7 years old, looked lost in their pretty Sunday dresses, dirty sneakers, and bows in their hair that weren't tied quite right. They stood by their Dad, awkward in his clean, but un-ironed white shirt. The gym echoed with families getting together and people setting up activities. People were getting ready for a celebration. The little girls were waiting for the Wings party to start in the gym at the New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility in Grants, New Mexico, February 8, 2003. They were also waiting for their mom.

The Wings Ministry hosts family celebrations at prisons in New Mexico where families can eat, play, and sing together. Wings Ministry gives families the opportunity to build memories together, even when mom or dad is in prison. The Wings Party is based on Acts 2:42. " And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer."

Wings parties are a bit loud. In Grants, the large, echoing gym vibrates with the songs of a Christian band with plenty of amplifiers playing good hand-clapping songs. There are activities for kids of all ages – a play area for the little ones, craft tables for the middle-sized kids, and activities for the adults. It's a time where kids can make Valentine cards for their parents, and parents can get their kids pizza and cookies. It's time to just be a family and talk about normal things – the dog's latest adventure, what happened at school, and what mom did at work yesterday. It's a time to bask in God's light.

Families have family portraits taken. They may be in a prison, but these portraits look like family portraits taken anywhere – toddlers trying to crawl off their mother's lap to go play, sisters with silly expressions, cries of "look at the camera" and Grandmothers very proud of their children. Wings volunteers brought a studio-quality camera and a photo printer, and printed one copy of the picture for the family and one for the woman in prison. The Wings Ministry creates family memories.

Wings connects inmates' families to caring Christians, who welcome them into congregations and teach them about Christ's love. Volunteers come from area churches around New Mexico. The volunteers tell people about the party, offer rides, set up the craft activities, borrow vans from churches, offer their time, amplifiers and band instruments, and most of all, let families know they are cared about and welcome. Churches loan their vans so that families, many of whom don't have cars, can get to the prison. Wings Ministry coordinates the entire activity and makes sure families know they are part of God's family.

The little girls brightened considerably when their mom walked in the door, uncertainty gone. She smiled as they quietly walked up to hug her, proud of how they'd grown. She admired their pretty dresses and commiserated about the mess the dog made. Her husband got to spend time with his wife. They made valentines for each other, got their picture taken (twice), and sang along with the band.

Churches helping families stay together, even during the hard times; connecting families to their communities and churches that care about them; that's what Wings parties are all about.